Abby Klopp's K's lead the way: Athlete of the Week

The Baldwin Woodville softball team posted a 28-1 record this year en route to winning the Division 2 state title, their only loss coming at the hands of a Division 1 team. In this week's Gordy's Athlete of the Week, SportScene13 recognizes their pitching sensation, Abby Klopp.

Abby Klopp/Blackhawks pitcher: “That was probably the biggest, the best feeling in the world for me. As a sophomore, I just thought it was amazing being able to take this journey with a whole bunch of great girls.”

A feeling that will stay for quite some time for pitcher, Abby Klopp, who lead a shut-out victory over Monroe in the 2012 Division 2 state softball finals, claiming Baldwin Woodville’s first state softball title. All this just one year after the Blackhawks had made their first appearance in Madison and walked away with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss in the finals.

Klopp: “Last year I was a little nervous, I guess, but this year I had more confidence. The game before really helped out knowing that we could come this far so that’s probably what helped out the best.”

Rick Coltrain/Blackhawks Coach: “I was just talking to somebody this weekend and they said something about she had 22 strikeouts and 1 walk and I’m sure, knowing Abby the way I do, she’s probably upset about that one walk and she’s going to fix that problem.”

The second year starter totaled 281 strikeouts in this season alone. But her 2 RBI’s in the state championship, well they proved her confidence goes with her beyond the mound.

Klopp: “And the people in front of me, who got hits I guess, gave me confidence too because knowing that we could hit the pitcher really helped out.”

Coltrain: “Abby leads by example. She’s the last one to leave the ball park every night. Hitting wise she concentrates a lot on hitting also, and she throws pitches every day.”

A girl who started out playing catcher at the age of 10 because the 12 year old team she wanted to play on needed her there, Abby is now a striking force to be reckoned with and she’s not done yet.

Coltrain: “It’s nice for us to have that confidence on the mound out there, taking care of the middle. She does a good job of throwing strikes and keeping us in the game. And when you have a dominating pitcher, it’s a lot of fun for coaching.”

Klopp: “I’m just really focused on next year, hoping we can make it back to state again. We only lose two girls and they were amazing but we still have a whole bright future in front of us still I think.”

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